Near Upper Yard lay a hidden village—
home of the Shandians.
Hidden, at least in their own belief.
Under Enel's Observation Haki, nothing in Skypiea had ever been hidden.
He simply chose not to interfere.
"Chief! Chief!"
An elderly man wearing a wolf-head hat raised his hand calmly.
"Wyper. You are a warrior of Shandia. Why are you so restless?"
Wyper inhaled sharply, eyes burning with excitement.
"I just returned from Upper Yard!"
"Enel's priests are gone!"
"The divine soldiers too!"
The chief stiffened.
"Gone? Completely?"
Wyper nodded fiercely.
"Yes!"
"I don't know why—but this is our best chance in four hundred years!"
"Chief, let me lead the warriors to reclaim Upper Yard!"
Silence filled the air.
Wyper grew frantic—
Then the chief sighed deeply.
"Go."
"Reclaim Apayado."
"Reclaim our homeland!"
Wyper roared.
"Yes!"
He turned to the villagers.
"Warriors of Shandia! The time has come!"
Cheers erupted.
Then—
A massive black raven descended.
Its wings stirred the clouds.
An invisible pressure suffocated the air.
The entire village fell silent.
Hearts pounded.
Eyes locked onto the enormous bird.
"So lively," came a calm voice.
Karl stepped down first.
He extended his hand upward.
A slender white hand met his.
Hancock descended gracefully beside him.
Wyper forced down his unease.
"Who are you?!"
Karl smiled.
"Karl."
"From the North Blue—Lvneel Kingdom."
The chief's face changed instantly.
"Lvneel?"
"Are you… a descendant of Noland?"
The Shandians gasped.
Hope flickered in their eyes.
Karl paused.
Then—
With perfect timing—
He sighed lightly.
"I didn't expect our lineage to be discovered so easily…"
The chief's eyes reddened.
He rushed forward and grasped Karl's hands.
"Forgive us!"
"For four hundred years, we have failed to fulfill our promise to Noland!"
Karl lowered his head slightly.
"If my ancestor still lived… he would never blame you."
The chief clenched his fists.
"Then today—"
"We will reclaim our homeland and ring the Golden Bell once more!"
"Wyper!"
"Yes!"
"No matter what—today we take back Apayado!"
"We will!!!"
Karl coughed lightly.
"Actually… Enel has already been defeated."
The chief blinked.
"Wait—what?"
"He and his priests will leave tomorrow."
Silence.
The chief stared as though seeing a ghost.
"You… defeated Enel?"
"Yes."
"Today I came to confirm his departure."
"And to take you back."
The chief stiffened.
"Back… where?"
"Jaya."
"The true homeland."
"Half of Shandora remained below in the Blue Sea."
"Don't you wish to return?"
The chief's expression trembled.
"We think of it every day."
"But for four centuries… we've lived here."
"This is also home."
Karl frowned slightly.
Soft persuasion alone would not suffice.
He glanced at Hancock.
Her turn.
Hancock stepped forward coldly.
"Apayado now belongs to me."
"You must leave."
"I will permit you to complete your ancient promise."
"But afterward—you depart."
Murmurs erupted among the Shandians.
Wyper clenched his jaw.
"Who are you?"
Karl spoke carefully.
"She is the Empress of Amazon Lily."
"Her power… exceeds mine."
The chief narrowed his eyes.
"Apayado is Shandia's homeland."
"That will never change."
"We've fought the Skypieans for four centuries."
"Three years against Enel."
"If needed, we'll fight again."
Hancock's gaze turned icy.
A wave of Conqueror's Haki exploded outward.
Royal pressure descended like a storm.
Most of the Shandians collapsed instantly.
A few remained standing—
Barely.
Hancock's voice cut through the silence.
"You dare negotiate with me?"
"In this world, if I desire something—"
"No one refuses."
"Anyone who does…"
"Turns to stone."
"Love-Love—"
Crack.
Several of the resisting warriors were petrified instantly.
Now—
Only Karl.
Hancock.
And the chief remained conscious.
"You monster…!"
The chief raised his staff in fury.
Karl immediately restrained him.
"Please!"
"She's my ally."
"Let me speak with her."
The chief hesitated—
Then nodded.
"I entrust this to you… descendant of Noland."
Karl gave a solemn nod.
He and Hancock stepped aside into the forest.
Behind them—
The chief collapsed to his knees.
Sweat drenched his back.
That pressure…
Even Enel's lightning had not felt so terrifying.
He looked at the petrified warriors.
At Wyper.
At his unconscious people.
And whispered—
"Please… Noland's descendant."
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